The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-13
THE LABOR PARTY AND aCOYIsM. -

THE LABOR PARTY AND "C0YIsM."
That the Democracy of indianapolis is in
capable of taking a broad hint that its ways
are not the ways of honest and reputable peo-
pie is fact which has long been patent, but
the following paragraph. from the Sentinel of
yesterday, indicates that a hint accompanied
by kick is not sufficient to bring the party
to realizing sense of its own misery. Mr..
Coy's organ, with Misrepresentation of the
purpose of the local Labor organization, as
unfattering to that body as it is condemnatory
of its own intelligence, says:
GAS it is against the Republican party be-
cause of the evils that were begotten during
the twenty four years it dominated the halls
Of legislation, that the Union Labor party
appears to be directing its forces, there is no
reason why it should not make common cause
with the Democratic party"
Evidently the Sentinel is proceeding entire
ly upon the theory which animates Boss Gov,
namely: that the movement which culminat-
ed, Monday night, in the nomination of city
ticket is under the management of a class Of
citizens owned or purchasable by the Democ-
racy. That there is back of it any motive
more serious than that of enhancing the price,
in the political market, of the 'labor' ele-
ment, has not entered into their comprehen-
sion. Having this preconceived idea, the
utterances of the new local association are
calmly ignored, and its action construed as
bid to the older parties, and particularly to
the Democratic party, to which a large num-
Der of its members have heretofore given
their allegiance. 1t could have been nothing
less than such insulting assumption, and the
absolute failure to realize that the move
ment was revolt against Democratic prin-
ciples and practices, that led to the Treatments
If the platform adopted on Monday evening
as a meaningless document. How else could it
ha, ve been possible to disregard the plain state
men of wants and desires there enunciatedl
The Union Labor platform, as adopted by the
local arty, is one which, with few excep-
tons, very good citizen, irrespective of party,
can an, owe. With these few exceptions, its
specifca ii, ,ns and provisions are identical with
principles heretofore advanced by Republic
ans, and are Numerically opposed to Demo
cratic policy I'D action. The municipal re-
forms called tor are not those which would
benefit one class of citizens alone, but all
would profit alike; and, with the general pub
tic welfare in view the Republican party has
advocated them and opposed contrary meas
ures when urged by tn opposite party. 1t is
the Republican elem. mt in the city govern
ment which has favored the restric-
ton of street railroa ds, gas-works, etc.
To Republicans is due Il Y credit of securing
all the park facilities whi iii the city enjoys;
Republicans secured the usage Of sanitary
laws, and Democratic "econt N.Y. is responsible
for their moment orcement. The metropol-
itan- police law was Dempc vatic measure,
and was almost unanimously opposed by the
Republicans of the Legislature (which forced
the system upon US.
AS if all these little matters Of difference
between the Labor men and Democr. ATTIC policy
were not enough, the Sentinel, had l L consid-
cred the platform at all, ought surely 10 have
gathered from the eleventh resolution, THAT its
party had been kicked with both feet. Says
that resolution, in language which trt Hhful
James could not exceed in plainness "
1--WE say the right of the people to exp ress
its will at the ballot box should be guar, led
with the greatest care. Such right is one of
the most sacred privileges of free citizen, "a
right for which nations have fought and patrl r
| OTIS shed their blood. Language has no words
| strong enough to condemn the attempts to
| thwart this right by fraud and cunning. We
| consider such attempts, together with the
| buying OF votes in whatever manner, as gross
crimes against the public, and deserving of
speedy and unrelenting punishment"
Perhaps this means, as the Sentinel pro-
fesses to believe, that the Union Labor party
is directing its forces against the Republicans,
| and should make common cause with the
Democrats but to the average comprehension
it has very different significance, and, in
fact seems to be aimed straight at those emf
nent members of the Democratic party who
| alter tally-sheets, and to have in view the
elimination of that fraternity from any con-
troll of city government. The effort to edit
the Sentinel as well as the city is somewhat
| too much for Mr. Coy, and is an experiment
| likely to end in disaster to that organ.